Safe Dilution ** Need Help Formulating a Massage Oil

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie,

 

(snipped)

 

> I know pretty much what oils I want to use, Apricot Kernel, Avacado,

> Hemp and Golden Jojoba. Does this sound about right? Anyone have any

> ideas at what ratios I should combine these carrier oils?

 

I'm sure you can get lots of ideas .. but would you prefer to have them

or scientifically proven .. tested safe .. percentages? Remember, there

is no SAFE rule of thumb .. and there is no percentage that we can apply

across the board .. different oils have different safe percentages.

 

The two major potential problems with formulating blends for dermal

application are irritation and sensitization .. one publication tells

you who tested what oil when and what the safe percentage was .. that

publication is Martin Watt's Safety Manual, " Plant Aromatics. "

 

The old edition of Plant Aromatics was $75 .. I have published the new,

revised edition and offer it for $44.90 .. it can now be seen and

ordered at URL http://www.av-at.com/plantaromaticsavnp.html The

revised edition came out in November 2001 and is now in the Fifth

Printing. I am exclusive dealer for North and South America.

 

(Snipped on which EO you will use)

 

> But I am not sure just how much EO to use, I know that with my face

> stuff I usually use from 1-3%. Do I need to use about the same amount

> in the massage oils? Or do I need to use more? She is hoping for a

> relaxing and stress releaving aroma.

>

> TIA

> Laurie Hoppe

 

I snipped that portion of the post on pricing and such .. I am just

addressing safety here and that is the most important part of what you

are about to do. I am certain other folks will address your other

questions.

 

Every essential oil used in the cosmetics industry has been tested on

human subjects and safe level of dilution is known. " Plant Aromatics "

is a compilation of this data researched over many years by Martin Watt,

Cert. Phyt. Medical Herbalist & Essential Oil Educator. The primary

source of his research was the R.I.F.M. (Research Institute for

Fragrance Materials) and their sister organization the I.F.R.A.

(International Fragrance Research Association).

 

These organizations collect and assess scientific safety data on

essential oils and provide reports on safe and adverse reactions to

their member companies in the commercial sector.

 

They have also commissioned research evaluations for over 40 years and

they publish the findings on essential oil safety in the journal - Food

and Chemicals Toxicity.

 

Basically .. we have a choice of disregarding safety, shooting in the

dark and keeping our fingers crossed .. or going to a library and

researching the back issues of Food and Chemicals Toxicity for the past

40 plus years, or if we are short on time, acquiring this Safety Manual.

 

" Plant Aromatics " includes (in one bound copy):

 

Skin Irritation

Sensitization

Photo sensitization

Oral & Dermal Toxicity

 

It goes into:

 

Reactions to Individual Chemicals

Testing for Adverse Effects

Skin Absorption

Oils Not Recommended

Absolute and Concrete Extracts

Maximum Levels of Oils in Perfumes/Cosmetics

Toxicity Levels

Referenced Adverse Effects on the Skin

And many more subjects

 

Why does one need this Safety Manual? I can think of three reasons.

 

1. Ethics and Personal Safety: Why should we use an EO in a dilution

that is larger than that which has been tested as being safe? We have

responsibility to ensure that those who use our products - as well as

ourselves, are not injured due to our not knowing the safe dilution.

 

2. Legal Liability: When we sell a product .. like it or not, we then

become liable for any harm we might cause. Ignorance is no defense.

Will use of this safety data get us off the hook if we are faced with a

lawsuit? I don't know, but if we can quote scientific safety data I

would think we would be in a better position to show we took reasonable

and prudent action to do the right thing, and we made informed decisions

using available information rather than guesswork. Intent can mean much

and a good defense can not hurt - methinks.

 

3. Professional Development and Knowledge: " Plant Aromatics " is more

than rumor and is quotable as scientifically sound. The date/time/who

conducted the tests are referenced.

 

" Plant Aromatics " can be obtained from two sources on Earth .. the two

sources are listed in my signature block.

 

Y'all keep smiling. Butch http://www.AV-AT.com

 

Europe & Asia .......... http://www.aromamedical.com/paper.html

 

North & South America .. http://www.av-at.com/plantaromaticsavnp.html